Alabama
Oklahoma
Alabama Gymnastics Opens 2017 Season Friday at No. 1 Oklahoma
1/5/2017 11:49:00 AM | Gymnastics
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. –The No. 3 ranked University of Alabama gymnastics team isn't tiptoeing into the 2017 season. The Crimson Tide opens in Norman, Okla., with defending NCAA Champion and preseason No. 1 Oklahoma on Friday, January 6 at 6:45 p.m. CT.
"We're so ready to get this season started," UA head coach Dana Duckworth said. "We've been working hard throughout the fall and since returning from the holidays – we're at that point where we need a meet. We need to get out there under the lights."
The meet, which will be held at the Lloyd Noble Center, will be broadcast live on Fox Sports Oklahoma and on the Fox Sports Go app with Chad McKee and Kelly Garrison calling the action. The Crimson Tide and Sooners last met in the 2016 NCAA Super Six Team Final. Alabama finished third while Oklahoma won its second NCAA Championship.
The two programs have combined to win eight NCAA Championships - Alabama has six and Oklahoma two - including four of the last six (UA 2011 and 2012, OU 2014 and 2016). While she is her third season as Alabama's head coach, Dana Duckworth is in her 22nd as an active member of the Crimson Tide program – a tenure that also includes four years as an NCAA Champion and All-America gymnast, nine as a volunteer coach and six as a full-time assistant coach. Oklahoma is led by K.J. Kindler, who is in her 11th season as the Sooners' head coach.
Both Alabama and Oklahoma have six seniors on rosters of 18 and 17, respectively. Alabama returns five All-Americans - seniors Katie Bailey, Keely McNeer and Aja Sims as well as juniors Mackenzie Brannan and Kiana Winston – while the Sooners have eight All-Americans on this year's roster. Bailey is also the defending NCAA vault champion.
Things don't get easier with the Tide's next meet, its home opener on Friday, Jan. 13 at 7:30 p.m. CT against 2016 NCAA runner-up and preseason No. 2 LSU.
"There is no doubt that this is a very challenging schedule," Duckworth said. "But it's one that will only make us better down the line."
Season tickets are available through the Alabama Ticket Office (205.348.2262) located in the lobby of Coleman Coliseum and online at RollTide.com.
For all the latest information on Alabama gymnastics, follow BamaGymnastics on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook and head coach Dana Duckworth on Twitter and Instagram at @UACoachDana.
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